School Break Staycation

School Break Staycation

Traveling with young children sometimes does not feel like a vacation at all, between the planning, packing, and surviving the journey to the vacation spot. Opting for a staycation during fall or holiday breaks can allow you to relax and enjoy time with your family without the stress of travel and also can be more budget-friendly. There are plenty of local attractions that will keep your family occupied during the break from school.

Experience the history of our military. The National Infantry Museum, located just outside Fort Benning, has exhibits which tell the story of our nation’s military and preserves historical artifacts of our country’s armed services. Admission to the museum is free but donations are suggested. Tickets for movies at the Giant Screen Theater and for the combat simulator located inside the museum are available, and the movie schedule can be viewed ahead of time on the museum’s website. nationalinfantrymuseum.org

Go for a relaxing bike ride on the Fall Line Trace. Pack a backpack with water & snacks
and enjoy a day on a paved bike path. The Fall Line Trace is the perfect ride for young riders because it is relatively flat. Two park and ride locations with restrooms are available on the trail. For some mountain biking fun, ride the Fall Line Trace to Flat Rock Park and enjoy the mountain biking trails. www.columbusga.gov/parks/fallline/fallline.htm

Spend time outdoors at Flat Rock Park. In addition to mountain biking trails and hiking trails, this park also has a Disc Golf course, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The park also has a lake open to the public for fishing. While you are there, enjoy the geology of the Fall Line by exploring the rock formations of metamorphic rock in the park and see the beautiful creek flowing through it. www.columbusga.gov/parks/parks/flatrock/flatrock.htm

Learn about local history on a walking tour.
Schedule a walking tour of Columbus with the Columbus Historic Foundation to learn more about local history. Tours are scheduled by appointment.www.historiccolumbus.com/tours

Enjoy a meal out at a restaurant you havenít tried before. After all that time outdoors, everyone will be hungry. Treat your kids to different types of cuisine by visiting one of the many locally owned restaurants in Columbus. You can make dining an experience in itself by exposing your child to not-so-everyday cuisines, such as Indian or Greek. Find local restaurants offering dining deals for kids on page 16.

Attend a performance at The RiverCenter.

The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Columbus is a state of the art performing arts center. This venue is the home of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and hosts Broadway musicals, comedy, and other fine arts events. A list of events and tickets are on the RiverCenter’s website. www.rivercenter.org

Spend a day at West Point Lake. Pack up your fishing gear and visit the public fishing areas at West Point Lake. Kids under 16 years of age can fish for free. Public fishing piers are available at Hardley Creek Park, Rocky Point Park, and McGee Bridge Park. Enjoy the beautiful fall colors while you fish.www.recreation.gov/recreationalAreaDetails.